Share this:

WASHINGTON — An Egyptian man who trained a network of operatives has been arrested in Cairo in connection with the Sept. 11 attack on the US diplomatic facility in Benghazi, Libya, in which US Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans were killed.

Muhammad Jamal Abu Ahmad, who is believed to have set up training camps in the Libyan desert and has ties to al Qaeda boss Ayman al-Zawahiri, was arrested in Cairo, Agence France Press reported, citing an unnamed US official.

Jamal, a former leader of Egyptian Islamic Jihad, was released from prison in Egypt in 2011 after former President Hosni Mubarak fell from power.

He has reportedly been under watch by US intelligence, which played a role in his arrest, according to The Wall Street Journal. He is thought to be about 45 years old.

He’s believed to be the ringleader of operatives who were behind the attack. The White House and State Department didn’t respond to requests for comment on reports of the arrest.

Jamal asked al-Zawahiri to set up an Al Qaeda affiliate, the Journal reported, citing western officials.

Al-Zawahiri called for the targeting of Americans in Libya the day before the attack in Benghazi, pointing to possible top-level al Qaeda involvement, although some terror experts think the role by the core al Qaeda leadership in the attack might be limited.